Citation
- Authors: Erhart, D., Zimmermann, M., Jacques, O., Wittwer, M. B., Ernst, B., Constable, E., Zvelebil, M., Beaufils, F., Wymann, M. P.
- Year: 2013
- Journal: Chem Biol 20 549-57
- Applications: in vitro / DNA / jetPEI
- Cell types:
- Name: HEK-293
Description: Human embryonic kidney Fibroblast
Known as: HEK293, 293 - Name: HeLa
Description: Human cervix epitheloid carcinoma cells - Name: MDCK
Description: Canine kidney epithelial cells - Name: NIH/3T3
Description: Murine embryonic fibroblasts
Known as: NIH/3T3, 3T3
- Name: HEK-293
Abstract
Cell activation initiated by receptor ligands or oncogenes triggers complex and convoluted intracellular signaling. Techniques initiating signals at defined starting points and cellular locations are attractive to elucidate the output of selected pathways. Here, we present the development and validation of a protein heterodimerization system based on small molecules cross-linking fusion proteins derived from HaloTags and SNAP-tags. Chemical dimerizers of HaloTag and SNAP-tag (HaXS) show excellent selectivity and have been optimized for intracellular reactivity. HaXS force protein-protein interactions and can translocate proteins to various cellular compartments. Due to the covalent nature of the HaloTag-HaXS-SNAP-tag complex, intracellular dimerization can be easily monitored. First applications include protein targeting to cytoskeleton, to the plasma membrane, to lysosomes, the initiation of the PI3K/mTOR pathway, and multiplexed protein complex formation in combination with the rapamycin dimerization system.